Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — A man believed to have ties to a California gang was arrested Oct. 22, in the Star City by officers with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, following an investigation that began this summer into the distribution of Methamphetamine in Aroostook. “On Thursday evening, MDEA agents arrested 31-year-old Chhiva Chit of San Diego, Calif., in the parking lot of a Presque Isle bar. Chit is charged with selling Methamphetamine — a Class B felony offense — and is also being held as a fugitive from justice,” said MDEA Director Roy E. McKinney, in a news release.
According to McKinney, the arrest is the culmination of a MDEA investigation opened late this summer into the increased availability of commercial grade Crystal Methamphetamine in the Central Aroostook County area. MDEA agents were able to identify two local retail distributors, and began collecting evidence on them.
“During the investigation, it was learned that a suspect from out of state was supplying the locals. Retail buys were made from the group, and on the evening of Oct. 22, agents were in position to witness a transaction between Chit and one of these local dealers. When the deal was done, agents swooped in and made arrests, seizing a small amount of Methamphetamine and the money used to buy it,” said McKinney.
Agents then searched a local residence where Chit had been staying, said McKinney, seizing more than an ounce of Crystal Methamphetamine. During the entire investigation, agents seized Crystal Methamphetamine with a combined local retail value of over $6,000. So far, there is no evidence to suggest any of the Methamphetamine was locally manufactured.
McKinney said Chit initially attempted to conceal his identity, but through state and federal databases and fingerprint analysis, agents determined he was a fugitive from justice.
“Chit is wanted in California on arrest warrants charging violation of parole and robbery. Chit was on parole for an attempted murder conviction when he allegedly committed the new robbery offense and is believed to have been on the run since March of this year. Agents also developed evidence linking Chit to an organized street gang in California. California authorities have placed an interstate detainer on Chit and are seeking his extradition once he answers the Maine charges. While two other adults have been charged in this case, their identities are not yet being released,” said McKinney.
The case is now in the hands of the Aroostook County District Attorney’s Office.
“Areas of Aroostook County faced tremendous turmoil as a result of widespread Crystal Methamphetamine availability and abuse in the mid to late 1990s. The enforcement and treatment costs associated with gaining control over the problem at that time were staggering. MDEA is committed to applying all necessary resources to keep from getting to that point again,” said McKinney.
Anyone with information on Methamphetamine trafficking or any other drug-related crimes in Maine can call MDEA, toll-free, at 800-452-6457 or by going to the MDEA Web site: http://www.maine.gov/dps/mdea/drugtip.html.
